August 13, 2021
Greetings,
We hope you enjoy this week’s National Council Weekly Update on the pertinent happenings of your VFW departments.
Human Resources
• New Employee:
- Brittany Dymond is our new Associate Director National Legislative Service in
the Washington office.
Contact: VFW Human Resources Manager Danielle Owen, DOwen@vfw.org.
Communications
• The C&PA director is coordinating with the VFW Membership and VFW Foundation
deputy directors for podcast coverage of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis, South
Dakota.
• The C&PA director and the VFW Foundation are working out details of podcast
coverage of the Sports Clips National Huddle in San Antonio, Texas.
• The C&PA director is planning future media training for new chair officers and social
media presentations at fall conferences.
Contact: VFW Communications and Public Affairs Director Rob Couture, RCouture@vfw.org.
• In case you missed it, check out all of our 122nd VFW National Convention highlights by viewing the event livestream here.
Contact: VFW Communications Manager Randi Law, RLaw@vfw.org.
Administrative Operations
• There are currently 43 Posts under suspension. We are currently working three Post
Consolidations pursuant to Section 209 of the National Bylaws, five charter surrenders
pursuant to Section 210 of the National Bylaws, and one charter revocation pursuant to
Section 212 of the National Bylaws. The organization has 5,977 chartered Posts.
• Administrative Operations is engaged in 20 Article IX Disciplinary Actions, three of
which are pending disciplinary hearings; four administrative actions; and one
membership eligibility challenge.
• Administrative Operations has processed, approved, and distributed 14 Bylaws/Articles
of Incorporation this week. We have received five new Bylaws/Articles of Incorporation
submissions and currently have 10 total pending review and approval. Current turnaround
time on Bylaws/Articles of Incorporation submissions is approximately eight days.
Contact: VFW Administrative Operations Director Johnathan Duncan, JDuncan@vfw.org.
Meetings and Events
• Ongoing completion of remaining hotel contracts for 2022 Convention – Kansas City that were put on hold to work through 2021 convention contracts.
• Review and forward to legal contracts – KCI Airport Marriott Hotel for the 2021 Jr. Vice,
2022 Jr. Vice, and 2022 Sr. Vice meetings.
• Reviewed and forwarded convention 2021 related final invoices to accounting for
payment.
• Schedule meeting with KCI Airport Marriott to review protocols for upcoming
September Budget/Finance & Council of Administration meeting.
• Prepare resume (meeting specifications) for September Budget Finance/Council of
Administration meeting.
Contact: VFW Meetings and Events/Exhibits Manager Vanessa Kane, CMP, CMM,
VKane@vfw.org.
VFW Foundation
• The VFW Foundation conducted a highly successful "Grants and Fundraising Ideas for
Posts” workshop at the 122nd VFW National Convention in Kansas City, Missouri. If
you were unable to attend, please contact the VFW Foundation’s Grants & External
Relations Coordinator Jason Couch, at JCouch@vfw.org or 816.968.1174 to request a
copy of the PowerPoint presentation.
Contact: VFW Foundation Administrator Richard
National Legislative Service
• Take Action Now on VFW-Supported Toxic Exposure Bills: If you haven’t already done
so, we encourage all veterans, family members, friends, and supporters to Take Action
Now. Spread the word so that as many people as possible will contact their senators and
representatives to support these important pieces of legislation!
• VA Begins Processing New Presumptive Conditions for Toxic Exposures: VA has
announced that starting Aug. 2, 2021, it began processing disability claims for asthma,
rhinitis and sinusitis based on presumed particulate matter exposures during military
service in Southwest Asia and other areas. These conditions must have manifested within
10 years of a qualifying period of military service.
• Major Medical Facility Bill Signed into Law: President Biden signed into law the Major
Medical Facility Authorization Act of 2021. This change will authorize VA to carry out
specific major medical facilities projects and also increase the amount of money that can
be spent on each project. The VFW applauds the passage of this legislation and calls on
Congress and the Administration to continue rigorous oversight of VA’s infrastructure
needs. The VFW has testified numerous times on VA infrastructure and the need for
proper attention to aging VA facilities.
• DUMP Opioids Act Becomes Law: President Biden has signed S. 957, DUMP Opioids
Act, into law. This law expands on VA’s program to dispose of controlled substances
introduced in the Isakson Roe Act of 2020. It will make VA’s drop boxes accessible to
the general public with a community information campaign announcing designated times
for disposal in an effort to improve medication safety in homes.
• The VFW currently supports 83 bills; and opposes one bill pending before the 117th
Congress.
Contact: VFW National Legislative Service Director Patrick Murray, PMurray@vfw.org.
National Veterans Service
• National Veterans Service participated in a meeting with Veterans Benefits
Administration to discuss the future of electronic notification of VA rating decisions. The
VFW has been working closely with VA on standing up a new system through which
Service Officers can more easily be notified of decisions for VFW claimants, providing
feedback on the potential new system.
• National Veterans Service leaders met to discuss the upcoming NVS fall training
conferences. Students for the accredited Service Officer training taking place in
September are already starting to make arrangements and NVS is planning to deliver its
first in-person training since January 2020.
• Last week, NVS was notified that the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals threw out VA’s
regulations prohibiting veterans from preserving the effective dates of Supplemental
Claims through the Intent to File process. The VFW has been vocal that the regulation
restricting veterans from preserving effective dates for Supplemental Claims was harmful
for veterans and contrary to what the VFW helped negotiate for the Appeals
Modernization Act. The VFW is now following up with VA to learn what this change
means for veterans affected by the prohibition since February 2019.
• VFW NVS Pre-Discharge Staff are once again hosting benefits briefings for transitioning service members at Joint Base Andrews and for transitioning Navy flag officers around the country.
Contact: VFW National Veterans Service Director Ryan Gallucci, RGallucci@vfw.org.
